Main image

ProfessorX CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Rapa Nui National Park

National Park

Rapa Nui National Park on Easter Island preserves moai on ahu, volcanic craters and ceremonial sites; travelers come for the stone statues, archaeological trails and Polynesian cultural remnants in an extremely remote Pacific setting.

Rapa Nui National Park SantiagoSan Pedro de AtacamaTorres del Paine National ParkValparaísoPucónPuerto VarasRapa Nui National Park
In this guide

Rapa Nui National Park essentials

Address: Rapa Nui National Park, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Valparaíso Region, Chile
Website: conaf.cl
Admission: Park entry and site fees vary; as of recent visitor guidance, foreign adult park fees are CLP 80,000 (~$100) but check park authorities for current rates
GoogleAppleOSM

About Rapa Nui National Park

Rapa Nui National Park covers the archaeological and natural heritage of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) and protects the island’s famous stone statues, ceremonial platforms and volcanic features. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains some of the world’s most concentrated and distinctive megalithic monuments.

Key visitor highlights include the quarry at Rano Raraku, where nearly all of the island’s moai were carved and where hundreds of incomplete and toppled statues remain; coastal ahu such as Ahu Tongariki with its 15 restored moai; and the white-sand Anakena bay with beachside ceremonial platforms. The park also includes volcanic cones, crater lakes and archaeological sites spread across the island.

Archaeological activity on Rapa Nui spans several centuries, with most moai construction and ahu building carried out by the island’s Polynesian inhabitants between roughly the 10th and 17th centuries CE. The modern park was established to protect the island’s cultural landscape, and restoration projects in the 20th century re-erected many moai at their coastal platforms.

The park occupies most of Easter Island in the southeastern Pacific, administered by Chile; the island lies about 3,700 kilometres west of the South American coast and is reached by air from mainland Chile. The visitor infrastructure is concentrated near the island’s main town, Hanga Roa, while archaeological sites are distributed around the coastline and interior.

  • Moai concentration: The park protects nearly 900 monumental stone statues called moai and associated ceremonial platforms, which are concentrated at quarries, coastal ahu and inland sites across the island.
  • Protection status: Declared a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it preserves both the island’s archaeological record and a landscape of volcanic cones, crater lakes and coastal platforms.

What to See#

  • Rano Raraku: The volcanic crater of Rano Raraku, the primary quarry where most moai were carved and where hundreds of incomplete and toppled statues remain in situ.
  • Ahu Tongariki: Ahu Tongariki, the island’s largest restored ahu with 15 re-erected moai standing on a single stone platform near the southeast coast.
  • Anakena: Anakena Beach, a coastal ahu complex with white coral sand and several moai situated above a recreational beach site that is traditionally associated with founding legends.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Rapa Nui National Park

October through March offers warmest weather and longest days; shoulder seasons are quieter and still pleasant.

Southern spring and summer
October-March · 20-28°C
Warmer weather, longer days-best for archaeology and beach time.
Autumn
April-May · 18-24°C
Milder weather and fewer tourists; good for walking and photography.

Weather & Climate near Rapa Nui National Park

Climate

Rapa Nui National Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in February) and mild winters (coldest in August). Temperatures range from 15°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1216 mm/year), wettest in April.

Air Quality: AQI 8 Good
Best Time to Visit
JanuaryFebruaryDecember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
27°
Warmest Month
15°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Excellent 20° - 26° 23° 66 mm partly cloudy 77% 4.4 m/s 3.1 extreme 13.5h
February Excellent 20° - 27° 23° 81 mm some cloud 77% 4.2 m/s 2.9 extreme 12.9h
March Excellent 20° - 26° 23° 105 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.2 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.1h
April Very Good 19° - 24° 22° 149 mm partly cloudy 77% 4.3 m/s 1.5 very high 11.3h
May Good 18° - 22° 20° 146 mm overcast 76% 4.7 m/s 0.9 moderate 10.6h
June Good 17° - 21° 19° 112 mm overcast 76% 4.7 m/s 0.7 moderate 10.3h
July Good 16° - 20° 18° 118 mm overcast 77% 4.8 m/s 0.8 moderate 10.5h
August Good 15° - 20° 18° 112 mm overcast 78% 5.0 m/s 1.1 high 11.0h
September Good 16° - 21° 18° 96 mm overcast 77% 4.8 m/s 1.6 very high 11.8h
October Good 16° - 21° 19° 83 mm overcast 77% 4.4 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.6h
November Very Good 17° - 23° 20° 58 mm overcast 79% 4.5 m/s 2.5 extreme 13.3h
December Excellent 18° - 25° 21° 90 mm partly cloudy 78% 4.4 m/s 3.0 extreme 13.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Rapa Nui National Park

Flights to Easter Island (Mataveri International Airport) generally depart from Santiago (SCL) and are limited-book flights well in advance. Within the island, rental cars and guided tours connect the main park sites such as Rano Raraku, Ahu Tongariki, and Rano Kau.

Tips for Visiting Rapa Nui National Park

  • Book archaeological tours or certified guides in advance-Rapa Nui has strict park controls to protect moai and archaeological sites.
  • Island logistics matter: flights to Easter Island are limited (mostly via Santiago); reserve accommodations and permits ahead of peak season.
  • Respect site rules: do not climb on ahu (stone platforms) or moai; park rangers enforce regulations.